The New Brunswick Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NBSPCA) wants you and your animal companions to make this one of the most memorable holiday seasons ever. A few simple steps as the celebrations get underway can make this a fun and safe time for all members of your family.

1. Take time together. Schedules are usually shot to bits during the month of December. What with special events, parties and travel, your routine is often disrupted for several weeks. Just like a child, keeping your pet happy and feeling secure amid the turmoil by sticking to their regular feeding and exercise schedules as closely as possible can help nip problems in the bud. Both of you will enjoy the breather of a walk or quiet relaxing as you brace yourself for the next activity.

2. Deck the halls for the smalls. What’s more fun than a house fully decked out in holiday finery? Make it something humans and pets can enjoy with simple precautions. Keep fragile ornaments out of the way of an excited pet, and burning candles far away from wagging tails. Secure the tree to a wall or with a sturdy stand to prevent it tipping over. Some cats love to hide in the branches, appreciating your bringing the outdoors indoors for their supposed enjoyment! Your adding decorations for them to play with can make it simply irresistible for feline family members.

Also, when choosing your holiday greenery, consider using artificial holly, mistletoe and poinsettias as the real thing can poison pets. Your cat or dog may accidentally consume the poisonous holly or mistletoe berries, while poinsettia sap and leaves can cause gastric upset.

3. Good eating. Treat your pets to a little extra of their regular food as you include them in the seasonal feasting. A few extra biscuits or an extra spoonful of supper are wonderful ways to share the bounty while staying away from upset stomachs. Keep the chocolates, alcohol and rich foods for human guests to avoid accidental poisoning.

4. Get unplugged. The season of lights brings with it a lot more power cords than usual. Securing them and covering them with a sturdy guard such as pipe can go a long way to making sure your pet can’t chew or get tangled in them. This will help prevent a nasty electric shock for your animal, and avoid a fire hazard from frayed or exposed wires.

5. A place of their own. The excitement and disrupted schedules holidays bring make animals nervous. Your normally quiet pet may act differently, especially with lots of seasonal visitors dropping by. Both you and your pet will be happier and safer if they can relax in a quiet room with their bed and a few favourite toys when guests come over for the evening.

These quick precautions can make Christmas a treat for all members of your family. Visit www.spca-nb.ca for more great information on caring for your pets all year round. Happy Holidays!

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